Pubdate: Tue, 13 Sep 2005
Source: Hindustan Times (India)
Copyright: 2005, Hindustan Times Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.hindustantimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/910
Author: Asian News International
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

MARIJUANA CAUSES THE SAME RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AS TOBACCO

WASHINGTON - A new study, by researchers at the Yale University, has found
that smoking marijuana is associated with increased risk of many of the
same symptoms as smoking cigarettes i.e. chronic bronchitis, coughing
on most days, phlegm production, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

The study, which was published in the "Journal of General Internal
Medicine," said that marijuana smoking may increase risk of
respiratory exposure by infectious organisms, such as fungi and molds,
since cannabis plants are contaminated with a range of fungal spores.

The study found that a large number of current marijuana use was
defined as self-reported lifetime use and use at least one day in the
prior month. Seventy seven percent of marijuana smokers also smoked
tobacco.

The analysis statistically controlled for the number of cigarettes
smoked per day. Individuals who smoked both marijuana and tobacco had
increased rates of respiratory symptoms compared to those who smoked
tobacco only.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin